Vanity of the Gentile Mind

Eph.4:[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Let us look today at some of the vain thoughts humanity has about eternity. Man can think what he wants but God is the judge. We will examine some of the vain thoughts of man in light of the Scriptures.

1) The vanity of man says as long as you are sincere in your belief system you will be okay.Man thinks any belief system will get you there as long as you believe.

The Bible says different.

Matt.6:[7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matt.15:[9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Col 2:[18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Man’s attempts of forming a religion are vain. The Bible says:

John.4:[23] But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:[24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We are not to worship just anything or according to how we “feel”. God must be worshipped in truth and spirit. It is tantamount to put your faith in Jesus Christ and nothing else. The way of the cross is the only means of salvation. This is not some idea of man but the means by which God has provided for salvation.

John.14:[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

There is only ONE way to Heaven and this is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

2) The vanity of man says there is no God.

The ignorance and vanity of man. God’s creation saying to the Creator, You don’t exist.

Rom.1:[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

1Tim.6:[20] O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1Cor.3:18] Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.[19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.[20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Only a fool could look at the intricacies of the human body and decide there is no Creator. If I were to tell you my car just put itself together wouldn’t you think I was nuts? Then why in the world do we give any credence to the fools who say the universe had no designer?

3) I am as good as the next guy

Col.2:[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Satan has deceived many into thinking they are good enough to enter Heaven. They compare themselves to others and feel they are okay in God’s eyes.The fact of the matter none of us are good enough for Heaven. The standard for comparison is not “others” it is the Word. None of us can stack up.

Rom.3: [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.[12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

In the book of Titus it states:Tit.3:[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The only means to gain entry to Heaven is through the blood of Jesus Christ which He shed for every man.

4) The vanity of man thinks God wouldn’t send anyone to Hell because he loves man.

2Tim.2:[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Mankind needs to realize it is their sin and unrighteousness which sends them to Hell. It is true God wants all of mankind to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. But there remains no forgiveness outside of His shed blood. You will go to Hell for rejecting God’s love and free gift of salvation.

John.3:[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

May I encourage you to turn from your wicked ways, fall on your knees ask God to forgive your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart and commit your life to Him.